SwordPLay: A Play of Swords

Review

Pop culture references fly fast and funny, but it’s classic video game adventures like Legend of Zelda at the heart of this perfect adventure-comedy from Toronto’s Sex T-Rex. Follow brave knights Barnabas and Salvatore (a.k.a. Santa) in a classic quest to save Princess Pimpernel from the dastardly Baron Thorne. But what of their perished friend Roland (maybe not so perished?)—and maybe the princess doesn’t need saving nearly as much as the knights who come to rescue her?
The five actors brilliantly use simple props and 16-bit sprite cutouts to create a live video game, complete with healing hams, spike traps and an epic dragon battle. The sword fights are sharp, featuring gratuitous and satisfying use of slo-mo, but the nimble writing is even sharper—this could be the funniest show you’ll see this fringe. Damnit, I loved this; and if you’ve ever blown the dust out of a cartridge, you will too.
Reviewed by Josh Marcellin.

I went and saw this on a whim, and was SOOO glad I did!!! It’s like this play was written for me. I didn’t realize it would be so focused on video game references from the description in the program and was absolutely DELIGHTED as it became apparent right from the get-go that it was. LOVED the songs from Chrono Trigger and was crying from laughing so hard at parts. Definitely go see this one!!